VR-24 shared ramp space at each of its
homebases with many other types of aircraft. VQ-2, with which VR-24 call both
NAS Port Lyautey and Rota home base, operated an interesting platform mix all by itself. U.S. Navy
Patrol (VP) squadrons routinely deployed to NAS Port Lyautey and RAF Halfar, Malta before
support facilities became available at Rota, Spain and Sigonella, Sicily in 1958 and 1959.
The bases that VR-24 called home also hosted detachments of U.S. Navy shipboard airwings
and served as divert fields for planes unable to return to their homes afloat because of
operational damage or inclement weather. Collectively, these aircraft plus "visitors" from
other U.S. and various foreign services provided great opportunities for the aviation
enthusiast to to observe, and in some cases, photograph the evolving aviation inventories
of both U.S. and friendly forces.

The photos below were contributed by Jim Deitschman, a
friend of many former VR-24 shipmates. These photos were taken at Port
Lyautey between 1958 and 1960 when Jim was assigned to the NAS Air
Terminal.